Ottawa airport wins international award

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Ottawa's airport ranked first in customer satisfaction amongst airports that serve between 2 and 5 million passengers per year. ((CBC))

Ottawa's airport won the "Stanley Cup" of airport awards Tuesday.

The Ottawa International Airport ranked first in customer satisfaction amongst airports that serve between 2 and 5 million passengers per year in the international Airport Service Quality contest.

Paul Benoit, president and CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority, said the prize is as sought after by airports as the Stanley Cup is by hockey players.

"It's great news for the National Capital region," Benoit told CBC News. "We've had a tremendous year in 2010 with a record number of passengers."

The awards are given out by the Airports Council International, which monitors member airports around the world four times each year. Inspectors rate everything from an airport's flight information screens, to check-in process, to the cleanliness of bathrooms.

The study also named Ottawa's airport as the second best overall, regardless of size, in North America.

The airport won several awards last year, and was named company of the year by Ottawa's Chamber of Commerce.

Benoit said the airport will celebrate by hanging banners throughout the terminal. A series of events over the coming months will thank employees.